Timeline: How a year of war in Gaza has unfolded as hostages released in ceasefire deal

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Hamas gunmen stormed a music festival in southern Israel, kidnapping around 250 people 13 October: Israel tells over 1m people to evacuate Gaza City After Israel’s war cabinet ordered a complete siege of Gaza in the wake of the Hamas attack and launched air strikes on northern Gaza, the Israeli military told residents of Gaza City, where more than 1 million people lived, to move south. open image in gallery Palestinians search through rubble for casualties last year after Israel began launching airstrikes on Gaza following Hamas’s deadly 7 October attack 27 October: Israel begins ground offensive The Israeli military expanded its ground operations despite warnings from the administration of US President Joe Biden that a full-scale assault could cause heavy civilian casualties. open image in gallery Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi is released as part of a truce agreement between Israel and Hamas 4 December: Israel launches first ground assault on southern Gaza Israeli forces launch their first big ground assault in southern Gaza, towards the main southern city, Khan Younis. In Israel, the Israeli government said right of the 33 hostages due to be released over the coming weeks as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas are dead.